HAVING SHOT TO semi-stardom since the start of Euro 2012, the Merkel Flag Crew managed to draw the attention of German ambassador, Dr Eckhardt Lübkemeier.
Whereas most groups of Irish fans traveling to Poland adorned their tricolours with comical phrases from Father Ted or the name of their favourite local; this quintet opted for ‘Angela Merkel thinks we’re at work.’
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Dr. Lübkemeier certainly seen the funny side and tracked the boys down through their roots in the University of Limerick.
“The German embassy invited us back and they’re letting us do a bit of fundraising tonight.” Eoin Cantwell, the crew’s reluctant spokesman, told TheScore.ie.
“We were in his company for a couple of hours (on Monday) and went back to his house for a while and they invited us to come to the embassy tonight to watch the game and (he said) ‘bring the buckets, and the flag’ and we’ll see if we can raise another bit for charity if we can.”
The two charities benefiting from the lads’ new-found fame are Crumlin Children’s hospital and Oscar Knox - a three-year-old boy with neuroblastoma who needs treatment in Germany.
“If you told me three weeks ago I’d be heading to Crumlin hospital to collect buckets, I’d have laughed at you,” says Cantwell, but the group are now fully-fledged fundraisers having raised over €20,000 for the causes.
“We’re very new to the charity stuff. I can’t say we’re martyrs or saints and went looking for it, it found us.
“The flag itself has a bit of a short shelf-life, but if we can raise a bit more money for charity then that would be a great result for an auld piece of cloth.”
Good work lads, enjoy the tray full of Ferrero Rochers that are sure to come your way.
Congratulations. A win for all concerned. I hope this is enough of a clear signal that Frau Merkel’s policies and views are not the policies and views of The majority of German people.
Dear Friends,
Who was invited to the German embassy to watch the match ?
Well it wasn’t feckin’ me! And after all I’ve done for that woman.
Yours blah blah Deutchsland Deutchland uber alles etc……..
Edna.
Yes, those dreadful Germans keeping our country running by giving us billions ! nnAnd then asking for some say in what happens to their money !!!!nnThe cheek of them !nnLets wallow here in our peasanty instead, and destroy the country again using someone elses money !
you are trying to defend people who are more clever than you. The Germans of course are happy that someone will fully bail out their financial system. Remember the German ambassador who described Irish people as driving ’07 cars?
Tim. Do you think it’s right to judge all Irish people based on our government? Ditto, the German people based on their politics. All the same. Forza Italia.
You need to read more. Irish people already contribute 32% of our GDP to the German PEOPLES financial system. Yet, they turn around and call us “PIIGS” and insist we continue paying their bondholders. Well, it seems Irish people have short memories. Apart from the humor component of your message, I sincerely hope I haven’t offended you any further.
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not enough good things can be said of these lads.
I have to agree, I must be going soft in my old age.
A great bunch of lads
Leo Varadkar ?
Fair play to them and the ambassador
Greats stuff Ted !
Give these lad a pension, they have done more to promote the country in a positive way than all our politicians bankers and the rest.
Congratulations. A win for all concerned. I hope this is enough of a clear signal that Frau Merkel’s policies and views are not the policies and views of The majority of German people.
Well done to those lads and well done to the Ambassador for being such a great sport.
Fair play to the lads.
Ah give it a rest. Stop trying to pollute a story of good intentions with politics.
That was in reply to Tim Jackson. Hit the wrong button.
Germans with a sense of humour??!!
How many Germans do you know?
I’d say he knows none or less
brilliant lads,I see the thumb down brigade are out in force!
great cause
Brilliant lads, well done to the Ambassador ask Angela for a donation
Why do people care about red thumbs? Just look at all the red thumbs I got for this comment for example. Water off a ducks arse!
I’ve 160 red thumbs on this page alone (so far) and each one eats away at my soul a little.
The brutal inhumanity of it all.
I’m sick of the sight of that flag.
Bah humbug?
Not the charity bit, thats great.
(I’m not a monster).
I’m sick of the sight of that flag.
Bah humbug?
BOOOOOO
Not the charity bit, thats great.
(I’m not a monster).
YAYYYY
Brilliant! Good luck to them.
Germany 2 – Italy 1 !!!!!
Dear Friends,
Who was invited to the German embassy to watch the match ?
Well it wasn’t feckin’ me! And after all I’ve done for that woman.
Yours blah blah Deutchsland Deutchland uber alles etc……..
Edna.
Got the idea from Liverpool fans over the decades,but well done ynwa
YAWN
Politics and sport shouldn’t be mixed.
Can’t wait for the Movie
So proud of u lads u r the future!
Legends lol
Lazy.Irish, imf recipients
I see the German well-wishers on here. Reading the comments makes me fear for our countrys future.
Yes, those dreadful Germans keeping our country running by giving us billions ! nnAnd then asking for some say in what happens to their money !!!!nnThe cheek of them !nnLets wallow here in our peasanty instead, and destroy the country again using someone elses money !
Mr. Thunder,
you are trying to defend people who are more clever than you. The Germans of course are happy that someone will fully bail out their financial system. Remember the German ambassador who described Irish people as driving ’07 cars?
Mr Jackson,nThank you for knowing how clever I am without ever having met me.
Tim. Do you think it’s right to judge all Irish people based on our government? Ditto, the German people based on their politics. All the same. Forza Italia.
Reginald’s Tower,
You need to read more. Irish people already contribute 32% of our GDP to the German PEOPLES financial system. Yet, they turn around and call us “PIIGS” and insist we continue paying their bondholders. Well, it seems Irish people have short memories. Apart from the humor component of your message, I sincerely hope I haven’t offended you any further.